EDITORIAL: Why The Riddler May Not Be The Main Antagonist In Nolan's Batman 3!

EDITORIAL: Why The Riddler May Not Be The Main Antagonist In Nolan's Batman 3!

And why, in my opinion, we might end up seeing someone a little unexpected in the third Batman movie...

Editorial Opinion
By RedSkull - May 29, 2010 05:05 PM EST
Filed Under: The Dark Knight Rises
Source: MikeSanderson09

People on the net keeps bickering over who will pop up in Batman 3. (which now has been given several titles, some as far fetched as "Caped Crusader" among others) But what really bothers me, is as fan boys, we surprisingly haven't taken into account the long list of the Dark Knights other villains. And Batman, dare I say it, has a great rogues gallery.

Now, I'm not saying that Riddler won't work, or anything along those lines. In fact, I'm happy to have Mr Nigma hit the screen in classic riddling fashion. But we should take into account, that unless portrayed correctly, Nolan could ruin the character, and hence the reason we should take our minds back to some of the baddies that surfaced in our childhood while watching the cartoon and reading the comic books.

Firstly, I've listed an array of villains, starting with the ideal and believable choices Nolan could take...all the way down to the list where every smart person in the comment section below would agree - "No...just No!" I figured I'd begin with the obvious, but stating briefly how it could be managed.




Possible Batman 3 Antagonists

1. The Riddler



Edward Nigma is one of Batman's primary antagonists since the beginning. We've seen this kook in the painful Batman Forever, but can he change our expectations in Nolan's number three? With the right casting choice (not Depp) and costume layout (a little bit like the Joker's from The Dark Knight, with worn down clothing and not as colorful as the comics), then we should be seeing this criminal genius very soon!

2. Black Mask




Its scary to think how...well just how scary they could make this character look. Another mastermind, the basic idea and premise of this bad guy could be pulled off. The only downside, is there's no reference to the character and no real place for him. But nonetheless, I feel that this is another strong competitor. Again, with the right use of believability in places (like the logistics of Two Face in The Dark Knight) then this could easily be pulled off.

3. Hush



Hush’s true identity is Tommy Elliot, a childhood friend of Bruce Wayne’s. Like Bruce, he had a wealthy upbringing and traveled the world after his parents’ untimely death. Unlike Bruce, he was the one who killed his parents. When he returns to Gotham City, he works as a famously skilled surgeon before letting an irrational jealousy and hatred of Bruce consume him.

Hush, again falls into the category of a simple gun slinger, and a man with a plan. But could something like this really work?




Now for the list which should make you laugh if you ever heard Nolan was game for the idea. Here's the "No Way!" list!

1. Mr Freeze



As Nolan said himself, "It won't be Mr Freeze". Lets face it, Victor worked for the animated and comic strip side of things, but...never has there been a worse villain that doesn't blend with the Batman world.

2. Clayface



3. The Madhatter




Some others include Killer Croc, Poison Ivy, Calender Man and more.




Other candidates that fall in between...

1. Prometheus



Slightly far fetched, but with the technology in place, could be made a reality.

2. Catwoman



Surprisingly the second option to the Riddler these days. Maybe with Rachel Dawes out the way, this is the next step?

3. Great White Shark



Again, like Black Mask and Hush, this could come across well in Nolan's interpretation. The only downfall is his origin (a little accident when he messed with Mr Freeze)

4. Penguin



Remember the rumors of Phillip Seymour Hoffman? Well, you never know...

5. Firefly



I really don't know, I'm just throwing it out there!




Feel free to discuss in the usual place minions! No offense to anyone passionate about the characters talked about above. Artwork was taken from the bios of the Batman: Arkhum Asylum video game!

-Mike
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ecksmanfan
ecksmanfan - 5/29/2010, 5:53 PM
Black Mask and Grundy!!!!
bleedthefreak
bleedthefreak - 5/29/2010, 6:01 PM
i think penguin could be just a great background villein like another crime organizer with a small role. I would love to see clayface played by Christopher Walken but Nolan's shitty universe rules out the majority of villeins chances are we will see more recycled from past films(ex. Riddler,Catwoman,Penguin,Bane,Poison-ivy,Joker,Two-Face.)
AshleyWilliams
AshleyWilliams - 5/29/2010, 6:09 PM
Black Mask+Catwoman+Riddler+Deadshot(cameo)=One good movie.
JoshWilding
JoshWilding - 5/29/2010, 6:16 PM
MikeSanderson09: Excellent write up man! Check your email when you get chance. :)
Dynamo
Dynamo - 5/29/2010, 6:24 PM
where's Deadshot and Bane?
greenarrowbeyond
greenarrowbeyond - 5/29/2010, 6:31 PM
firefly would be a good idea though
airbeyonder18
airbeyonder18 - 5/29/2010, 6:35 PM
Forgot Deadshot. but great article man.
Joe6Pack74
Joe6Pack74 - 5/29/2010, 6:40 PM
I would like see Superman and Batman duke it out in the next one.
ecksmanfan
ecksmanfan - 5/29/2010, 6:40 PM
By damn...I am bound and determined to see Grundy on the big screen and I think Nolan could do it.

Solomon Grundy Pictures, Images and Photos
AVEN
AVEN - 5/29/2010, 6:43 PM
@dellamorte1872

That's true... for Nolan

That's the reason because i don't like to much the "realistic" version of Nolan
InTylerWeTrust
InTylerWeTrust - 5/29/2010, 6:43 PM
I think that Black Mask and Deadshot, with Riddler as a supporting character would make for a good Bats 3. I like the Riddler, but even I know that he wouldn't work as a main villain. Black Mask should hire Deadshot to hunt down Batman, keeping in tune with the mob angle that Nolan's films have had. Meanwhile, on the cop side, Edward Nygma is hired for his expertise, because the cops always seem to be 2 steps behind the Bat. Nygma is initially cocky, but after he sees that Bats is smarter than he thinks, he sort of spirals into madness and obsession.

Also, is it me or does that pic of the Riddler look totally like NPH?
fanboiii
fanboiii - 5/29/2010, 6:44 PM
Firefly would be a believable side villain. He shouldn't be the last on the list.

Poison Ivy would also be plausible as a biochemical terrorist.

Bane too should be on the possible list.
AVEN
AVEN - 5/29/2010, 6:47 PM
The ventriloquist is a good choice for me
P862010
P862010 - 5/29/2010, 6:47 PM
black mask seems more Nolan's type
TheShakeBake
TheShakeBake - 5/29/2010, 6:55 PM
Red Hood or Black mask could probably be a main Villain but Bane would be a beast cameo villian kinda like Two-Face, was in TDK
JLanphear
JLanphear - 5/29/2010, 7:07 PM
@Tyler Holy shit, dude. That idea is pretty damn genius. My first choice has always been an adaptation of HUSH, but in Nolan's universe.
jttrainer45
jttrainer45 - 5/29/2010, 7:15 PM
Deadshot is the one truly intelligent choice. Make that choice Mr. Nolan, please make that choice.
SpiderBat209
SpiderBat209 - 5/29/2010, 7:22 PM
@Number 21---- Batman vs Superman for Nolan's run to go out with a BANG! (Welling for Supes & Rosenbaum for Luthor!)

Nolan's "supervision of a new Superman franchise" could just be a front. ;)

Batman vs Superman is a HUGE possibility. :)
JonStarkgaryen
JonStarkgaryen - 5/29/2010, 7:28 PM
TDK really made me suspect that the mayor himself was up to something b/c there were aspects of that guy really didn’t click w/ me. I’ll be honest and say I’m not too big of a Batman CB fan, but really enjoy the movies (THE ORIGINAL 2 AND THE PAST 2.) That being said I pose the following question to my fellow CBMers….

Any shot in hell he could become an antagonist? And if so, who would be the villian working w/ him?

and as always: if i’m hellen keller for posing this thought, call me Hellen Keller, put me in a circular room, and tell me to go sit in the corner…..
prinzjoker
prinzjoker - 5/29/2010, 7:36 PM
Hush Black mask Prometheus Great white shark and firefly dont belong.
Mad hatter could be a backround character and the main could be Riddler.
Freeze and Catwoman maybe or Freeze and Penguin.
ClayFace will be cool but Nolan wants realistic movies. Thats why Joker had his story changed
SpiderBat209
SpiderBat209 - 5/29/2010, 7:42 PM
@ Johnb1aze---The Mayor could be in cahoots with Lex Luthor and enlist a certain "Man of Steel" to capture the vigilante known as: Batman. But in truth, Lex WANTS Batman to defeat/destroy Superman! Awww Snap! lol jk :D
pollix22
pollix22 - 5/29/2010, 7:42 PM
I would guess that this has been brought up before but did it occur to anyone that the character in TDK of Coleman Reese, referred to mostly as "Mr. Reese" was a nod to the riddler. Mr. Reese = Mysteries.... he even had the red-ish orange hair color. Just sayin'
EphPhaThaINC
EphPhaThaINC - 5/29/2010, 7:43 PM
Nice article, but one cannot forget about BANE.

Over sized juiced up but highly intelligent villain of the batman universe.

Could he translate well in a Nolan movie?

He could, but it would be a stretch (for him) and even whoever plays him.

I could see Vinny Jones play Bane.

Not to meantion in this day and age of steroids in major league baseball it could really be a nice social commentary for America but as intelligent as Nolan is I think that he could do it without coming across as blatant or preachy like George Lucas or Matt Groenning did with the Simpons

There is still lots of story to tell with what they have, Scarecrow is still around and Cillian Murphy was the dark horse/surprise of Begins. He cameoed in Dark Knight as his way of letting the fans know that he is still alive and well. He moved on from him being poisoned by his own serum-most likely found the antidote and survived. (after all he did invent it, I am sure someone as smart as Crane would have one laying around somewhere.)

The question is would Bane be a mid tiered villain or would he be good or strong enough (pardon the pun) to be a Nolan top tiered villain?

If he is just a lackie (i.e. Batman and Robin) then he would be a low tiered or mid tiered second act villain (i.e. Marcone, Scarecrow) but if his intelligence is taken into account and they spend time developing him right in a movie, he could be a great top tiered villain maybe leading up to him breaking Batman's back (like in the comics) Be a great cliffhanger for the next movie with lots of questions surrounding him in that one. You could break that movie up into two parts right there where half of the second movie is while Bane is conquering Gotham and running Batmanless crazy across the city, Batman (Bale) is spending half the movie rehabbing, maybe there is room for development on the part of Bale to shine as an actor.

Things to ponder
dancingmonkey08
dancingmonkey08 - 5/29/2010, 7:50 PM
Nice article!

Well obviously the movie is going to continue on from the end of the Dark Knight, with Batman being hunted by the police. Thats what the third movie is gonna be about, so the question is which bad guys would fit in with this type of plot?

My idea is it should be Catwoman & Deadshot/Black Mask. After the police have continued to be outwitted by Batman, they bring in a professional to take him out and this is Deadshot or Black Mask. However, he is using this as a cover to take over the remains of the Mob and as a way to take out the Mob's main enemy, Batman.

Catwoman could be introduced as a love interest to Batman. After Batman lost Rachel Dawes, he is in a dark place and this coupled with his current status as a criminal would make sense why he would fall for someone like Catwoman.

All the villains in the article are really interesting but apart from Catwoman and Black Mask, leave the rest for a future movie under a new director so Nolan can finish off his trilogy's story first
Duckfish
Duckfish - 5/29/2010, 7:54 PM
What about following a Knightfall-ish storyline (sans the auxiliary characters)with Bane as the main villain? Have Batman start out as a fugitive still cleaning up the streets, but resented by the people. Bane works behind the scenes to weaken him before publicly defeating him and incapacitating him (maybe a broken back is too extreme, but you get the point). The city is forced to realize how important Batman is while he is out of commission and Bane is in control of the city. He ultimately rehabs, defeats Bane, and is thrown back into the good graces of the city. If they could focus more on Bane being a criminal genius as opposed to a mindless brute (SCHUMACHER!!!), I think it could be pulled off quite nicely in Nolan's world. Thoughts?
BassMan
BassMan - 5/29/2010, 8:01 PM
i could see the mob being a strong point, with the penguin heading it, he amasses alot of the smaller characters like deadshot, black mask, etc as strong arms and assassins, tryin to take over gotham. while at the same time riddler is sort of a consultant to the penguin, but actually manipulating things behind the scenes. also he has found out batmans identity, and thinking he is better and smarter than the bat, leaves riddles for him to try to figure out his identity leading him around gotham on wild goose chases and what not. somethin like that could work
bigshow2312
bigshow2312 - 5/29/2010, 8:02 PM
angalina jolie Pictures, Images and Photos
Angelina Jolie as
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